Chapter Discussion Questions #2 1. Compare and contrast conflict theory with structural functionalism. Pay special attention to the way that each theory treats the origin of social change. When it comes to the origin of social change the conflict theory and structural functionalism differ in many ways. Structural Functionalism stresses that society as whole‚ including the individuals‚ families‚ educational system‚ politics‚ and the economy come together to create a functioning society. But‚ if
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opening a complete new discipline emerged. There was a lot of key thinkers around this time who were very influential in the creation of Sociology as a discipline. This essay will discuss the key thinkers around the creation of Sociology namely‚ Durkheim‚ Marx and Weber who are considered the founding fathers of Sociology. It will also analyse the Functionalist‚ Marxist‚ social action and postmodernist perspectives looking at some of the key figures and concepts within the perspectives. The term
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Durkheim suggests that there is a purpose to the existence of all social phenomena‚ the necessary purpose of deviance being to bond the social group. This is difficult to imagine because it treats society as a living thing‚ an object which forces individuals
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Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the functionalist view on society. Functionalism is a consensus perspective‚ whereby society is based on shared values and norms into which members are socialised. For functionalists‚ society is seen as a system of social institutions such as the economy‚ religion and the family all of which perform socialisation functions. A strength of the functionalist theory is that it a macro level structural theory which uses an organic analogy- using the body as
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sociology. The functionalism and conflict theories are macro theories or the "big picture" of a society‚ while the symbolic interaction theory is a micro theory that focuses on small group actions in a society. The functionalism theory was based off the ideas of Emile Durkheim‚ a French intellectual who was concerned with social order and moral behavior. Functionalism questions whether or not current systems meet the needs of society. Durkheim and others who support to functionalism theory believe
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Why has the functionalist perspective been so severely criticised? Structural functionalism developed out of the European philosophical traditions of the C19th. It was in some respects‚ a response to the massive social upheavals of industrialisation and political unrest of the times as it offered a way of accounting for social unrest by looking at the power of society over the thoughts and actions of men. The nature of humanity was seen as selfish but rational. Man needed the power of society to
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understanding of the role of education. (20 marks) ‘The value of the Functionalist approach to education lies mainly in the emphasis that it gives to the links between the education system and aspects of the wider social structure.’ (ITEM A) Functionalism is the view that education is used a one of the many institutions in society to socialise the young and teach them norms and values through formal and informal education and the hidden curriculum which is not taught and accumulated over time through
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a French philosopher. For him‚ common sense and the obvious would not suffice; he wanted to build scientific theories based on critical awareness of society. The two main stems of sociological concepts are Positivism and Phenomenology. Both Functionalism and Marxism are Positivist theories. This means that philosophies are built by using scientific research methods to create structural perspectives. Positivism is called macro sociology because it looks at society holistically; it also emphasises
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It seems to me that I would be more of a functionalist rather than a conflict theorist. In modern societies the boundaries between the functionalist theory and the conflict theory are less clearly defined than in the times of Karl Marx and Emile Durkheim. However the main class groups such as landowners and the working class can still be identified in most societies. It seems to me that I would be more of a functionalist rather than a conflict theorist. As our textbook says‚ "Functional analysis
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societies". Ritzier ("Sociology"‚ 1979). With that are three main theoretical traditions that operate within sociology‚ there is structure functionalism‚ conflict theory‚ and symbolic interactions. These three theories shape sociology‚ there are other smaller theories‚ but these are the most important to understand. The main premise of structure functionalism is for that every social structure there must be a function that sustains society. The main premise of conflict theory is that there is an
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